Ho Ho Ho

Every time you say "Santa Clause" in front of Aliyah she will reply, "Ho ho ho!" Although, it didn't start out that pleasant...

Our first visit to see Santa this year was December 1st. We put our name on the waiting list and when it was Aliyah's turn, we took her up to Santa while she shook her head "no" the whole way. She wouldn't even look at him. She refused to give him high-fives or fist bumps or tell him that she wants a baby doll. She never cried but reached for the door the whole visit. We never forced her to sit on his lap.

Santa Number Two: We were walking around Oak Park Mall one evening and decided to jump in the line of other excited kiddos waiting to see Santa Clause. We waited for about 5 minutes before it was Aliyah's turn. She again shook her head "no" over and over. People probably thought we were crazy because we waited in line just to walk in front of Santa and wave hello and then we left.

At this point I felt like it was border-line torture... I needed to do something different. We watched lots of youtube videos of kids sitting with Santa Clause. We looked in books and talked about him a lot. We had such a great time seeing Santa with both of her grandmas last year and I knew they would want to take her again this year.

Santa Number Three: This time, her YaYa had an idea - she brought along her old baby doll (which Aliyah adores) to sit on Santa's lap too. It worked! She didn't smile but Aliyah tolerated the whole situation and sat long enough to get a picture.

Santa Number Four: Aliyah's Grammy had to work the day YaYa went on our Santa adventure, so we went with her yesterday. This time, Aliyah waved to Santa while we were in line and when it was her turn, she took off with her arms open wide practically jumping into his lap. Aliyah gibber jabbered who-knows-what to her new pal. She gave him plenty of high-fives and hugs before waving good-bye. Success!!

She loves to see herself and Santa together pointing to the picture with a loud, "Ho ho ho!"

I had to throw in this picture that I found from last year. It's the same Santa!!